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SAN FRANCISCO, September 14, 2012—San Francisco Opera partners with Webcor Builders and the San Francisco Giants for Webcor Builders Presents Opera at the Ballpark, a FREE community event on Saturday, September 15 at 8 p.m. at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

Through state-of-the-art technology, San Francisco Opera’s performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto will be transmitted in 1920x1080 high definition (HD) to AT&T Park’s 103-feet wide Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision scoreboard—live from the stage of the War Memorial Opera House. Concert quality audio combined with AT&T Park’s huge screen creates an unmatched operatic experience for attendees sitting in the stands and on the baseball field itself. With seating offered on the field as well as in the stands and traditional baseball game concessions available, fans can enjoy a picnic in the outfield or hail a hot dog while taking in this riveting opera classic.

San Francisco Opera opens its 90th Season with Verdi’s Rigoletto, the vivid and compelling story of a vengeful court jester desperately attempting to protect his daughter from disaster. The all-star international cast features Serbian baritone Željko Lučić in the title role, Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak as Gilda and Sardinian tenor Francesco Demuro as the lecherous Duke of Mantua. This production is directed by Harry Silverstein and features the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti.

San Francisco Opera and Classical KDFC partnered again this year to host the “KDFC Star-Spangled Sing-Off,” a public singing competition that accepted video submissions in search of a winner to sing the National Anthem at AT&T Park prior to Opera at the Ballpark. This year’s winner, “Afterparty,” a quartet comprised of University of the Pacific alumni, will perform the “The Star Spangled Banner” a cappella prior to the simulcast.

San Francisco Opera’s free live simulcasts, part of General Director David Gockley’s mission to bring opera into the community and to wider audiences, to date have drawn more than 165,000 people of all ages. The September 15 Rigoletto simulcast marks the tenth free simulcast presented by San Francisco Opera (and the seventh at AT&T Park).

For more information about Webcor Builders PresentsOpera at the Ballpark, including AT&T Park rules and public transit information, visit sfopera.com/simulcast. Tickets are not required, but registering at sfopera.com/simulcast ensures early entry for best seating.

San Francisco Opera’s presentation of Rigoletto at the War Memorial Opera House continues with performances through September 30. For more information, visit sfopera.com.

TV CREWS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE INVITED TO FILM AND PHOTOGRAPH THIS EVENT

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA AT THE BALLPARK

FREE LIVE SIMULCAST OF VERDI’S RIGOLETTO AT AT&T PARK

WHEN:SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 – 8:00 to 10:30 p.m.
National Anthem at approximately 7:50 p.m.Rigoletto performance begins at 8:00 p.m.
Event concludes at approximately 10:30 p.m.